A classic divide among Tufts students is the uphill vs. downhill debate. Students who hail from dorms uphill boast a convenient location to the Academic Quad, proximity to the Green Line and close access to friends who are fellow ‘uphill-ers.’ Downhill residents, on the other hand, have easy access to the larger (and some would argue better) dining hall that is Dewick, are close to the Campus Center and have a short walk to Davis Square.
What about the students who are not truly uphill or downhill residents, though? To see what it’s all about, I brought my kitchen supplies to The Court at Professors Row (specifically, 93 Professors Row) to cook up an easy yet delicious evening snack: pizza bagels.
First of all, I’d like to acknowledge the fact that The Courts had the rebrand of the century. Going from temporary COVID-19 quarantine housing to an actual dorm with a few upgrades and a name change is … crafty. I commend the creativity of the Office of Residential Life & Learning for that. The Court’s past still haunts it though: Many students still refer to it as “The Mods.” Thus, in the true spirit of the Tufts undergrad population, I will refer to The Court as The Mods for this column.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by The Mods. I had low expectations for the kitchen, given the things I’ve heard about the dorm as a whole, such as “Mushroom-gate” (when mushrooms allegedly grew from the floor of the bathroom). The kitchen, though, was modern and large, with new appliances and clean workspaces.
The fridge and counter space were clean, and the dishes that were present were washed. The floor was also surprisingly polished. Overall, I was impressed by the state of the kitchen.
For functionality, I would rank The Mods quite high. The setup of the kitchen was user-friendly and made sense. The paper towels and trash can were conveniently located. My only critique would be lack of real counter space, but residents of The Mods were resourceful — two nearby tables had been pushed together in the middle of the kitchen to serve as a makeshift island. The oven even had a Wi-Fi option, for those who may need it.
The Mods also were strong in the supplies category. The pile of dishes next to the sink was not only clean, but also large and varied in size and type. There was dish soap and a sponge available for cleanup. I was truly impressed.
In terms of vibes, The Mods really shone. The kitchen was semi-enclosed, allowing me and my diners to cook, dance, sing and chat without feeling too exposed. A sitting area with couches and chairs adjacent to the kitchen fostered conversation and good vibes to fill the whole space, as well as providing a good place to eat.
Overall ratings:
Cleanliness: 9/10
Functionality: 9/10
Supplies: 10/10
Vibes: 10/10
Recommendations: If you have something to bake (or need Wi-Fi), come to The Mods! Bring plenty of friends to fill the space.
